Postage-stamp



(No Model.)

G. M. BRIGHT.

POSTAGE STAMP.

Patented Mar. 7,1893.

/N VE N TOR Gee/ye Jifizz'gbi.

WITNESSES.

UNrTEn GEORGE M. BRIGHT, OF ABINGDON, VIRGINIA.

PO STAG E-STAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 492,912, dated March 7, 1893.

Application filed $eptember 14, 1892- Serial No.445,839. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. BRIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Abingdon, in the county of Washington and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Postage-Stamp, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and improved postage stamp designed for governmental postal service, and so constructed and arranged as to be more convenient, efficient and economic than the stamps heretofore provided. It is well known that the public demand for the one and two cent stamps is much greater than for any other denomination, and that, since in business and other correspondence ordinary letters coming under the head of first class matter now require the two cent stamp, the latter is in greater demand and usually present in greater quantities than the one cent stamps or stamps of higher denomination. It also frequently happens that a person requiring a one cent stamp to cover postage on second class matter is for various reasons, such as extreme distance from a point of stamp distribution, unable to secure a stamp of the required denomination and is forced to affix a two cent stamp instead, thus occasioning personal loss, and, when the stamp is canceled, swelling the percentage by cancellation of the postmaster to the amount of excess postage. Furthermore, Where a person only has a supply of one cent stamps on hand and needs a two cent stamp, there may be said to, exist a popular prejudice against the use of two of the former, as this is practically objectionable, for obvious reasons. Accordingly it is the object of my invention to overcome all such objections and deficiencies, and to reduce the expense and complexity of the manufacture and distribution of postage stamps in general, by providing what I specifically term a divisible stamp of a prescribed denomination as a whole yet manually divisible or separable into two equal independent parts, each half or part being a stamp of half the valuation of the unit stamp. Thus, for instance, with two cents as the value of the whole or unit stamp, it is so formed as to be readily divided by the consumer into two independent one cent stamps.

For the attainment of the above objects my invention consists, substantially, of a unit stamp of prescribed denomination or valuation printed, impressed, or otherwise formed on a suitable unit sheet of paper or other ma terial of desired shape and size, said unit sheet being rendered centrally divisible and separable by spaced perforations arranged in a straight line forming the central divisional line of the unit sheet.

My invention consists further in providing some identifying symbol or figure on the unit sheet coincident with the divisional line and overlapping or overlying both sides of said line in such manner that when said unit sheet is torn apart into two stamps smaller in size and valuation, there will remain on each half or sub-stamp'a fragment of said symbol or figure to show that it had formerly been one half of an uncanceled unit-stamp of higher valuation.

My invention further comprises certain other auxiliary details of construction and arrangement of parts, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter, and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Ihave shown several forms to which my invention is adapted, any of which can be employed, as desired.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification-Figure 1 is a plan view, with parts broken away, of a stamp -sheet showing a number of unit stamps scparably united in one large sheet. Fig. 2 is a detail plan view of a single unit stamp detached from the sheet. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the unit stamp divided into its two equal sub-stamps; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of unit stamp.

Like letters and numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. 7

Referring to Fig. 1', A indicates a large stamp-sheet comprising, as is usual, a'num- In carrying out my invention, the unitstamp B may approximate in size and design the well known two-cent stamp, with this difference, that, although its superficial area is about equal, it is centrally divided by spaced perforations, or, arranged in a straight line, into two independent sub-stamps, G and 0', each having its individual design, or color, and valuation mark, and connected together at their mutual boundary line, I), thus constituting a unit-stamp of a valuation double the valuation of each portion 0 or O.

D designates a valuation symbol, mark, or figure for the unit stamp, which is so arranged at the line b as to overlap and project on both sides of said line leaving a fragmental portion on each sub-stamp C or C, so that when theunit stamp B is torn into two sub-stamps O, 0, each ofthe latterwill retain thereon a fragment of said valuation mark, figure or symbol D, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. In Figs. 1,2 and 3, the I mark I) is afigure 2 showing the value of theunit stampto be two cents,while in said figureseach substamp C or O has an independentvaluation markl showing each sub-stamp to be valued at one cent. In Fig. 4, however, I have shown the valuation mark D as a line of letters, and also an additional symbol in the form of two leaves mounted on diverging This arrangement would be equivalent to the figure ""2 in Figs,

stems united at the line b.

1, 2 and 3.

On the surface 'of the unit stampB I have illustratedtheconventionaldesigncomprising a likeness surrounded by the approved orna mental design and lettering; and furthermore, I have arbitrarily illustrated the unit stamp as a two cent stamp and each substamp as a one cent stamp. It will, however, be understood that I do not restrict myself tosuch arbitrary arrangement, since each sub-stamp may be of any higher denomination and any unit stamp of double the value of a substamp, as shown in Fig. 4: wherein the substamp is a two cent stampand the unit stamp a four cent stamp. If preferred,

the perforations a a between any two adjabe a horizontal line as shown in Fig. 4. Un-

der some circumstances the latter arrangement might be preferred inasmuch as it serves to and more equally divide the superficial area of the unit stamp B.

My improvement will be found to simplify the cost and labor of manufacture, distribution and sale of stamps, will be more convenient and economical to the consumer, and will fulfill a recognized postal want.

It is obviousthat my invention is applicable to any kind of stamps by simple-change of design and valuation marks.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and "desire to secure byLetters Patent, is

1. A divisible postage-stamp of prescribed valuation, shape and design, divisible'and separable into two independent sub-stamps of independent design, each equal in value to one half'of the whole or unit'stamp, as set forth.

2. -A divisible unit stamp for revenue purposes of approved material, shape, design and valuation centrally divisible by spaced perforations into two independent sub-stamps, each sub-stamp being equal in valuation to one half the valuation of the unit stamp,

said unit stamp having avaluatio n mark,

symbol or figure so arranged that a fragment of said mark, symbol or figure will remain on each division or sub-stamp when the unit stamp is divided, as set forth.

presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE M. BRIGHT.

Witnesses:

GEORGE STUART,

JOHN R. LYON. 

